George Chavel, Sodexo North America President and CEO, to Retire at the End of 2015

September 22, 2015

Lorna Donatone, CEO Schools Worldwide, to assume his responsibilities

GAITHERSBURG, Md., September 22, 2015 - Sodexo announced today that George Chavel, Sodexo North America (NA), President and Chief Executive Officer, will retire December 31, 2015.

Chavel joined Sodexo in 1991 and throughout his career, has held a wide range of leadership positions, including President and COO, Hospitals/Acute Care Division and President and COO, Sodexo Health Care. Chavel was appointed as Sodexo NA President and CEO in 2007. During his tenure, Sodexo NA has accounted for 43 percent of Sodexo’s global business growth.

Chavel has been a strong leader of Sodexo’s diversity and inclusion efforts. This has led to Sodexo earning a top 5 ranking in DiversityInc’s list of Top 50 Companies for Diversity six years in a row.

Lorna Donatone, CEO of Schools Worldwide, will assume Chavel’s duties. Donatone joined Sodexo in 1999 and has held several key leadership roles in the company, including President, Spirit Cruises, President, Schools Division and most recently, President and COO, Sodexo Education.

Donatone began her career in public accounting with Deloitte & Touche in Dallas, Texas, and has worked in the airline, banking and high-tech industries. Donatone has a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University in New Orleans and a Master’s in Business Administration from Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, Texas.

About Sodexo
Sodexo, Inc., the leading Quality of Life services provider in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Services in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government and Remote Site segments, as well as Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Sodexo, Inc. is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md. and funds all administrative costs for the independent and charitable Sodexo Foundation — granting more than $25 million since 1999 to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at SodexoInsights.com.